Numbers 20:20

20 But he said, You are not to go through. And Edom came out against them in his strength, with a great army.

Numbers 20:20 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 20:20

And he said, thou shall not go through
Which is an absolute and peremptory denial:

and Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand;
the king raised the militia of his country, and came at the head of a powerful army to hinder their passing into it; being fearful and jealous, lest such a large body as they were should seize on his country, or spoil it, not relying on their promises; and this might arise also from the old grudge of Esau against Jacob, and which continued in his posterity, and might now be revived upon their going to Canaan to possess the earthly blessing conferred on Jacob and his seed: however, it seems, though the Edomites would not let Israel pass through their country, yet they furnished them with food and drink for their money, ( Deuteronomy 2:28 Deuteronomy 2:29 ) .

Numbers 20:20 In-Context

18 And Edom said, You are not to go through my land, for if you do I will come out against you with the sword.

19 And the children of Israel said to him, We will go up by the highway: and if we or our cattle take of your water, we will give you a price for it: only let us go through on our feet, nothing more.

20 But he said, You are not to go through. And Edom came out against them in his strength, with a great army.

21 So Edom would not let Israel go through his land; and Israel went in another direction.

22 And they went on from Kadesh, and came, with all their people, to Mount Hor.